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Dark Academia 2 - the conversation continues..

982 replies

highlandcoo · 09/10/2023 00:08

Hello again to everyone from the last thread and welcome to anyone who enjoys talking about this aesthetic .. and if you have photos to share even better!

We've been discussing woollen jumpers, tweed skirts and jackets (with and without elbow patches), flannel trousers, fair isle tank tops, leather boots, culottes, berets and many other appealing garments, and more recently novels, poetry, libraries in general and even home decor with a DA vibe. Plus tortoiseshell spectacles and lorgnettes. I don't think we've touched on DA hairstyles yet although I've been giving that some thought ..

A DA quote I came across the other day: "I declare after all, there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library." (P&P of course)

If curling up in a wing-backed armchair in front of a log fire, with candles flickering, sipping tea from a china mug while reading your Jane Austen or Bronte novel sounds appealing, this thread might be for you. Or if you just like the clothes - that works too.

Our first thread below:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4861009-dark-academia-anyone-who-loves-this-style?page=39&reply=129785046

Page 39 | Dark Academia - anyone who loves this style? | Mumsnet

And where to find it? This is how I want to dress this winter. More skirts and dresses rather than trousers as my waist is not the best and the trous...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4861009-dark-academia-anyone-who-loves-this-style?page=39&reply=129785046

OP posts:
Thread gallery
151
highlandcoo · 21/11/2023 16:16

That is such a nice beret! I like it in brown - it would suit my colouring better - but I imagine it's great in charcoal too. Well done if you worked out how to knit it just from looking at that photo!

The thing with being able to knit is that you look at the price of fairly simple garments and think: I could make that in a few hours for a fraction of the cost. I felt the same when I did a jewellery course: what! £35 for a tiny pair of silver earrings! I don't think I'll ever be able to pay that again.

Of course, I know that we're paying for the work that goes into making things. And the time it takes to knit stuff has to be considered. But if you enjoy the process it's a win-win 😊

OP posts:
IndianSummer78 · 21/11/2023 19:34

Darrell there's loads of links and info on the DA thread #1 too

Darklane · 21/11/2023 19:44

Ravelry has lots of free patterns on line for hats, gloves, scarves, jumpers. You name it they’ve got it. You can & buy download patterns too. Plus there are lots of forums on all kinds of knitting & crochet there, very friendly & helpful. They also give details of just about every yarn manufactured. Well worth signing up, so much free help & information even for an old hand like me who’s been knitting & crocheting since learning from my brilliantly skilled grandmother when I was still little, decades ago.

BonjourCrisette · 21/11/2023 21:28

Hello to new joiners!

I am very very much a beginner with both knitting and crochet but I am slowly knitting myself a scarf. It is great that so many of you seem to be experts so I will know where to come if I get stuck!

Similarly happy to help with sewing queries should anyone have one!

BonjourCrisette · 21/11/2023 21:29

Also, my knitting experiment started because I have a tiny head. So at some point I am planning to knit myself a good hat that isn't liable to blow off at the first breath of wind. Even stretchy ones are a little iffy for me. I am not sure I can carry off a beret, though. Please don't disown me!

OrangePumpkinLobelia · 22/11/2023 04:15

Morning all.

I am in jetlag hell as recently returned from a long-haul trip hence the early posting.

I was out last night (school concert) and wore a long patterned dress, navy velvet jacket (charity shop from years ago that I usually only wear to cocktail parties); tights, stompy boots (that i had been planning to charity shop and changed my mind!) a red beret and a vintage rhinestone brooch that i had also planned to charity shop myself at some point. A school gate friend said in definitely approving tones; 'I did not recognise you!'. I felt great! Usually I dress to try and hide my body as I struggle with my weight but I felt fantastic and got the thumbs up from both DCs (DS1 was back at school after his day off).

So I hope to keep the momentum up.

I love that beret you posted @TheDarrellRivers . It is reminiscent of the berets worn by Bobby in the film version of The Railway Children- another firm favourite of mine.

Bookist · 22/11/2023 10:04

Hello my lovely Dark Academic sisters! I have been very busy doing Life Stuff for the last coupe of weeks, so haven't been around here much. So nice to catch up with all your thoughts and outfits though. This thread is like a cosy cup of tea and a hug.

I feel like I'm really hitting my stride now with my DA outfits. Today I'm wearing a white jersey shirt under a black, cable knit sweater vest, dark navy wash straight jeans and black brogues. I popped into the office earlier and was told I looked 'like a dressy librarian' which is exactly the look I'm going for.

Bookist · 22/11/2023 10:16

OrangePumpkinLobelia · 20/11/2023 12:09

Thanks! He is great. He said to me confidingly at the weekend; 'You know mum... i am really not one of the cool kids'. I told him he was actually really quite super cool.

He's home today with asthma complications and we have spent a happy couple of hours pootling around youtube at all sorts of cottage core vloggers and vlogger accounts of living in small apartments in Paris (his other obsession).

I love needlecord @worstofbothworlds but really have not yet worked out how to wear it.

Hello @OrangePumpkinLobelia. I also really love needlecord too, but really struggle with how badly it creases. I have a couple of Seasalt needlecord dresses which look gorgeous on until I sit down in them, then they look like a bag of rags. Does anyone know of a solution?

worstofbothworlds · 22/11/2023 12:38

I tend to pretend I'm a paper doll and don't have a back... If I ignore it, it doesn't exist.

TheDarrellRivers · 22/11/2023 14:22

@highlandcoo Yes, completely agree! I was able to tailor the yarn to exactly what I wanted, too, so choosing the perfect materials is a bonus as well.

@Darklane Ravelry is an amazing resource!

@BonjourCrisette Thanks for the welcome! I have the opposite issue in that my head is huge!!

@OrangePumpkinLobelia Your outfit sounds really super. It's such a pleasure to dress in ways we love, isn't it.

DarkAcademia · 22/11/2023 15:11

My autumn wardrobe came together beautifully in the end (after lurking, and also posting on this thread on another name back at the very start).

My core garments have been:

fallen-leaves orange cords (Levi's, oddly - I was looking for the amazing orange Superdry ones from last year, and these were what came up in my searches instead)
a variety of cashmere and wool jumpers - green, rust, navy, mustard, black
midi skirts in variety of textures and materials, but especially a knitted brown midi skirt from Toast which isn't really my style to wear out, but am LIVING in at home because it's so thick and warm. Who needs central heating?
And some Anthropologie pieces from the LAST time all this stuff was in fashion, about 20 years ago. Am quite smug about still fitting into it! Wish I knew where my tops from back then have gone though.

I have quite a lot of (inexpensive) velvet in the right colours, so have been able to draw a deep breath and feel okay about Toast this year!

All of this, except the Anthropologie stuff, is via Ebay and Vinted.

I also have two coats on rotation, both & Other Stories, for a black-based palette, and a brown/orange-based palette.

This is the first year in ages I have felt my look has come together really. Everything goes with everything else, so I can mix and match a LOT.

Loaaaads of great ideas and inspo from this thread, which I have kept a close eye on!

I need a hat though. I wish there as more range for womens hats out there - it never seems to catch on (again) but it's not like our heads have stopped needing to be warm over the last 100 years, is it?? I used to wear little cute ones in my 20's, but I was intentionally looking for a slightly costumey look then anyway.

In the 70's and 80's my Mum still wore a headscarf regularly. I wish they were still in style! Ebay is positively bristling with Hermes ones in every conceivable colourway.

DarkAcademia · 22/11/2023 15:19

I wish this kind of thing was in fashion - https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/bourdeaux-stylish-felt-headpiece/ - and no, I do not feel I have the panche (or live in the right place!) to single-handedly bring them back. Maybe if I lived in London!

Although actually this is kind of great - https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/petite-cloche-burgundy-wool-felt/

Bookist · 22/11/2023 15:51

worstofbothworlds · 22/11/2023 12:38

I tend to pretend I'm a paper doll and don't have a back... If I ignore it, it doesn't exist.

That's a genius idea, except that the front of the needlecord dresses really crease too. Even wearing a proper slip underneath doesn't seem to help.

highlandcoo · 22/11/2023 16:56

@OrangePumpkinLobelia @Bookist @DarkAcademia I am loving the sound of all your clothes!

I was in a rush for the train this morning for my language class and I'd wanted to wear something more original (for once it wasn't raining therefore tweed would have been possible) but didn't have time to assemble an outfit so pulled on the old faithful combination of dark navy cigarette jeans, Ten Points boots and my oversized Celtic and Co fair isle jumper. It's fine but it's what I wear a lot without thinking. Need to plan outfits the night before clearly. I'm a night owl and morning is not my best time ..

I'm going out to a book launch at the local library this evening so will try for something more original. Looking like a dressy librarian like Bookist would be a huge achievement 😊

OP posts:
TressiliansStone · 22/11/2023 19:46

This thread is continuing to give me such joy! @OrangePumpkinLobelia and @Bookist , I'm so glad your outfits were properly appreciated by those around you.Grin

Former headscarves... I have just discovered a new piece of kit which, to my embarrassment, has passed me by until now: the scarf clasp. I've long loved a silk scarf round the neck, so this is giving me a whole new range of options.

Plenty of vintage scarf clasps on eBay, too...

Darklane · 22/11/2023 20:07

Love needlecord but Oh the dog hairs ☹️

Darklane · 22/11/2023 20:09

Does anyone regret the demise of bonnets?
so pretty & oh so practical with the ties to stop them blowing off, now that’s very Austen/ Bronte!

IndianSummer78 · 22/11/2023 20:40

Very much darklane

Bookist · 22/11/2023 22:07

highlandcoo · 22/11/2023 16:56

@OrangePumpkinLobelia @Bookist @DarkAcademia I am loving the sound of all your clothes!

I was in a rush for the train this morning for my language class and I'd wanted to wear something more original (for once it wasn't raining therefore tweed would have been possible) but didn't have time to assemble an outfit so pulled on the old faithful combination of dark navy cigarette jeans, Ten Points boots and my oversized Celtic and Co fair isle jumper. It's fine but it's what I wear a lot without thinking. Need to plan outfits the night before clearly. I'm a night owl and morning is not my best time ..

I'm going out to a book launch at the local library this evening so will try for something more original. Looking like a dressy librarian like Bookist would be a huge achievement 😊

Oh I am so guilty of not thinking ahead and planning outfits much to my chagrin. I reckon that 4 days out of every week I just quickly grab something easy & familiar out of the wardrobe. My go-to outfit is black, leather look leggings from Commando, a turtle neck, oversized knit from French Connection (I have the same sweater in 5 colours) and chunky black biker boots from H&M. Very comfy but hardly classy or considered!

worstofbothworlds · 23/11/2023 10:02

I'm afraid I'd just feel like an oversized baby in a bonnet!

I use a kind of rotation system for outfits (not made up by me), saves on decision fatigue but it relies slightly on things I'm not completely sure suit me so I may need to seek alternatives for them. It's a bit hard to describe and it's definitely got cheesy vibes but I can DM anyone who's interested.

I was thinking of doing the 333 (33 items for 3 months) challenge, to try and focus on the basics.

TheHoundOf · 23/11/2023 10:19

Watching the thread as DD and I love this style. I was going to say about bonnets; we use pashminas and longer scarves when it gets windy/ears get cold, to wrap about the head and create a hood. If you loop a nice long scarf around the neck once you can pull the longer end over the top and tuck it back into the neck. We've also got one of those see through bell umbrellas with a black trim (often go to get it and see she's taken it with her!). Also a staple of mine are heavy black brogue boots bought on Etsy that seem to go with every outfit.

Was going to ask if anyone is gifting anything DA this year? I got this for dd last year which was good quality https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1068794140/personalized-binder-recipe-book-leather?ref=yr_purchasesWould love more links!

JaneJeffer · 23/11/2023 14:02

Girls Aloud have gone over to the dark academia side. Cheryl is Tweedy (I'll get me coat)

Dark Academia 2 - the conversation continues..
Dark Academia 2 - the conversation continues..
Dark Academia 2 - the conversation continues..
TressiliansStone · 23/11/2023 18:24

Ouch!Grin

But, what sort of coat? Hmm?